It goes without saying that all the news that has traversed the airwaves or that was in print over the last year was dismal at best. To be clear, it is very difficult to tell what is “real news” and what is “fake news”. Who are you to believe? Though the economy continues to improve; unemployment is at unprecedented low; politicians are still pointing fingers at one another and/or obstructing with regards to getting anything accomplished in Washington. Consequently, on many fronts we have a country divided.
Throughout our country we also hear of churches that are closing their doors, scandals within churches, and the emboldened minority who vociferously denounce God and who do all they can to remove any semblance of God from the public arena.
It is “in times like these” that children of God must clearly understand the need of bringing “true” light and hope to a most darkened country; but true light and hope can only come forth from those who are truly anchored in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am reminded of a song written by Ruth Caye Jones that contains the following words, “In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor, Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor hold and grips the Solid Rock! This Rock is Jesus, Yes, he’s the One; This Rock is Jesus the only One! Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!” The words of this song envelope David’s praise of the Lord as found in Psalms 18:46,
“The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”
When people do not see light, hope is most often diminished. Jesus stated to His church in Matthew 5:14-16,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
What people need to see is the hope that is found in Jesus Christ – the One in whom we can anchor our souls.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 states,
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 states,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
In times like these – regardless of how bad things seem to be – we can always rest in the promises of God. The Scriptures clearly attest to the promises of God.
Hebrews 13:5 states,
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Matthew 6:25 states,
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
Matthew 6:34 states,
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
1 Peter 5:7 states,
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
What is needed today is for children of God to show forth the light of Christ through their lives; as we are called upon in 1 Peter 3:15,
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
Our prayer is that you have anchored your soul in Jesus Christ; for in times like these you do need the Savior.
